11/07/2021
In our lesson this morning, "Beware the Gibeonites," we considered the ways false teachers are deceptive by looking at this scene from the history of the children of Israel in Joshua 9. 1) False teachers are deceptive in their appearance...the Gibeonites dressed to make themselves look like they had traveled from a far away land. Jesus said that false teachers appear as sheep, but are really ravening wolves. 2) False teachers are deceptive in their actions...the Gibeonites had moldy bread, worn our wine bottles, and worn out shoes. Jesus used the scribes and Pharisees as examples not to follow when He told the people to follow their commands, but not to follow their self-serving actions, because they do not follow their own commands. 3) False teachers are deceptive in their words...the Gibeonites claimed to have been from a far away land but they lived actually nearby. Paul warned about false teachers who use "good words" and "fair speeches." They paint beautiful pictures with their word and their polished oratory. Peter warned about false teachers who use "great swelling words of vanity." They use big words that sound impressive, but do not hold much weight. If we are to keep the Lord's church pure, then we must guard constantly against false teachers.
